Randy's Guide XCVIII (98)

Today is Jamaican sprinter (and double gold medalist) Usain Bolt's 22nd and Philippines' Ninoy Aquino Day; Friday is "Brokeback Mountain" writer E. Anne Proulx's 73rd; Saturday is Ukraine's Flag Day and basketballer Kobe Bryant's 30th; Sunday is comedian Dave Chappelle's 35th; Monday is TV chef Rachael Ray's 40th and Uruguay's Independence Day; Tuesday is politician Tom Ridge's 63rd; and Wednesday is Texas' Lyndon B. Johnson Day.


Local News Story
After spending 12 years at its South of Market location, Trannyshack - and host drag queen Heklina - is closing up its Tuesday midnight tradition. One final party will be held this Saturday at San Francisco's Regency Center. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/18/DDLV12B6SI.DTL


Event Alert
BAR AIDS is coming next Thursday, August 28. Two Castro bars (Harvey's and Mix) will be donating 50% of sales to supporting local HIV/AIDS organizations. Other bar sponsors include Hobson's Choice (Haight), Gravity Room (Marina), Truck (Mission), and Wild Side West (Bernal Heights). www.stopaids.org/baraids


Change for Change
Charity to consider: The Little Angel Fund. A tip from Elvin Z. points out this New York-based group of parents supporting premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and their families. www.littleangelfund.org

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, Farm Sanctuary, Bay Area Community Services, Blue Energy, My New Red Shoes, College Track, Foundation for the People of Burma, and Vital Life Services.

Donate through the non-profit's Web site or your corporate donation program.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Slight warming trend to Sunday. Highs: 60-65 coast, 65-80 bay; 80-90 inland. Lows: 50-60.


Environmental Tips
As you or your friends look into new housing options, consider high-density locations that promote walking and taking public transit. Recent examples in the Bay Area include San Jose's Santana Row, San Mateo's proposed Bay Meadows, and West Oakland's Transit Village.

Previous:
Pets matter too! It's no surprise that dog or cat food can be certified organic, which means that the producers don't use GMOs or irradiation. Also check out PETA's list on companies that do not test their products on animals.


Music Videos
"Paranoiattack" by The Faint (Omaha, Neb.)

Celebrate the new-wave band's latest album, "Fasciinatiion."

Previous:
"Bartender Song" by Rehab (Atlanta, Ga.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRC77brGYWs
The country rap-rockers have gotten a second release of their album "Graffiti the World" ... mighty generous by the hands at Universal. They're touring the East Coast this month, before opening for Kid Rock on the West Coast in September.


Movies (domestic revenues through August 17)
#1 Tropic Thunder (R): $25.8MM opening; 3319 screens; $7,777 per screen
#2 The Dark Knight (PG-13): $16.4MM; $471.1MM overall; 3590 screens; $4,562 per screen
#3 Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG): $14.6M opening; 3452 screens; $4,233 per screen
#10 Vicky Cristina Barcelona (PG-13): $3.8MM opening; 692 screens; $5,427 per screen

Death Race (R): Action; about a corporation's use of overcrowded jails for televised sport; co-starring Jason Statham and Joan Allen

Hamlet 2 (R): Comedy; about a failed actor and (now) teacher in Tucson who stages a risque sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet; co-starring Steve Coogan and Amy Poehler

Hats Off (NR): Documentary; about a 93-year-old actress ("Sex in the City" and "Across the Universe") who continues to strive for small film roles

The House Bunny (PG-13): Comedy; about a Playboy bunny who unexpectedly has to find a new job on a nearby campus; co-starring Anna Faris and Katharine McPhee

I.O.U.S.A. (PG): Documentary; about the growing federal debt, aging U.S. population, and increased competition from China and India; co-starring Ron Paul

A Jihad for Love (NR): Documentary; about eight gay and lesbian Muslims filmed without permission in their home countries

The Longshots (PG): Sports drama; about a former high-school football star who becomes a local team's coach and leads his niece to be quarterback; co-starring Ice Cube; directed by Fred Durst

Love Comes Lately (NR): Drama; about an aging writer who must reassess his life

The Rocker (PG-13): Musical comedy; about a failed drummer who has a second chance with his nephew's high-school band; co-starring Christina Applegate

Warchild (NR): Drama; about a Bosnian mother who finds out that her daughter has been adopted and raised by a family in Germany

Netflix pick - The Host (R): A delirious South Korean monster tale that harkens to the days of Godzilla; highest-grossing South Korean film of all time, with $60 million in revenues in South Korea, $2 million in the U.S.


Free Activities
Palo Alto Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: 27th annual event. Along University Avenue (Palo Alto). www.mlaproductions.com

United in Health 3 [Sat 10am-2pm]: Featuring health screenings, demonstrations, and prizes. At the Ella Hill Hutch Center (SF). www.afrosolo.org

Shakespeare on the Square [Sat-Sun 7pm]: "Macbeth" on Saturday, "Taming of the Shrew" on Sunday. In Courthouse Square (Redwood City). www.redwoodcity.org/events

Escape from the Rock Triathlon [Sun 7:20am]: 28th annual event. Check out the athletes who can do 1.5 miles of swimming, 2.5 miles of running, 13 miles of biking, and finally about 7 miles of running. Near Aquatic Park (SF). www.envirosports.com/events

Rock Make Street Festival [Sun 11am-6pm]: Featuring 12 local indie bands and 50 artisans. At Treat and 18th Street (SF). www.myspace.com/rockmakestreetfestival

~ Ongoing ~
Film Night in the Park [Fri-Sat 8pm]: "Ratatouille" (Mill Valley) and "Breaking Away (Fairfax). www.filmnight.org

Live Jazz in the Square [Th 6pm]: Featuring Le Jazz Hot & Friends. In Union Square Park (SF). www.sfjazz.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 1:30pm, Wed 6/8:30pm]: Its latest sparkling production, "Red State," focuses on a small Kansas town that is the last to vote in the 2008 presidential election. At Live Oak Park (Berkeley) and Bindery (Denver, Colo.). www.sfmt.org

Shakespeare in the Park [Sat 7:30pm, Sun 5pm]: Closing weekend of "Pericles" in San Mateo. 25 years of Free Shakespeare. At Central Park (San Mateo). www.sfshakes.org

Shotgun Players Theatre [Sat-Sun 4pm]: "Ubu for President." Through Sep 14. In John Hinkel Park (Berkeley). www.shotgunplayers.org

Walking Tours in the Presidio [Wed/Sun 2pm]: Through August 27. At Presidio Officers' Club (SF). www.presidio.gov

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival [Sat 1pm]: Featuring fiddler Tom Rigney and his ensemble Flambeau. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org


Paid Activities
Live Music - Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival [Fri 2:30-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10pm]: Featuring Radiohead, Tom Petty, Jack Johnson, Wilco, Widespread Panic, Cake, Beck, Ben Harper, Primus, Nicole Atkins, Sharon Jones, Broken Social Scene, and more. At Golden Gate Park (SF), $85-695. www.sf.outsidelands.com

Event - Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam [Fri 6:30pm]: Featuring superstars of skateboarding, BMX, and motocross. At Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View), $31. www.boomboomhuckjam.com

Comedy - Kung Pao Kosher Comedy [Fri 7:30pm]: 4th and a Half Annual event. At Dolores Park Cafe (SF), $7-15. www.koshercomedy.com

Event - Tiburon Festival [Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm]: At Historic Ark Row (Tiburon), $5. www.tiburon-artfestival.com

Theatre - Grey Gardens [through Sep 14]: About the reclusive cousin of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. At Center for the Performing Arts (Mountain View), $21-59. www.theatreworks.org

Previous: Theatre - Oh My Godmother! [extended through Aug 31 in SF]; Theatre - Uncle Vanya [through Aug 31 in Orinda]; Art - Women Impressionists [through Sept 21 in SF]; Theatre - Insignificant Others [extended through Sept 21 in SF]; Art - Ming Dynasty [through Sept 21 in SF]; Art - Frida Kahlo [through Oct 26 in SF]


Upcoming Activities in September
Janet Jackson [Sep 13 in Oakland]; The Fratellis [Sep 17 in SF]; James Blunt [Sep 28 in Saratoga]